Chapter 35: The Demon Mirror
Soon enough, it really was time to leave.
Frey knew that there was no delaying his departure this time, and he vaguely wondered what Weisser's reaction would be if he got pulled back into the Crypt in a state of partial undress. He smiled at the thought, thinking what an amusing situation that would be. But in the end, he decided that he'd rather not risk it, especially since he had a feeling that Weisser would be fuming with anger right about now. Frey had, after all, been gone beyond the time frame that they had initially agreed upon.
"I won't say goodbye," he said as he stood up, straightening himself in the process. "We will see each other again right?"
Ryuu nodded. "Yes. Sometime in the future."
Frey regarded his companion with a cheerless smile. "I won't even remember you by then, will I?"
"Every soul who gets reborn will not remember anything from his or her previous life," Ryuu explained. "But Weisser will have your memories, and you will eventually get them back."
Frey wasn't entirely reassured, but there was no time to doubt Ryuu's words or Weisser capabilities. He stood back, reluctant to touch Ryuu again, afraid that he might never leave if he did so.
Ryuu also kept his distance. Smiling, he pointed at Frey's hands. "It seems like Weisser is calling you back."
Frey looked down at himself. He was beginning to disappear, his extremities starting to glow with unearthly light. Frey felt like crying. The room was beginning to dissolve, and everything around him – even Ryuu – began to shimmer and fade.
Frey stood uncertainly, torn between wanting to stay some more, and leaving quickly to spare himself the indignity of breaking down completely in front of Ryuu. But this was the last time that he would be able to be with him like this. Hesitating for the briefest second, Frey strode forward resolutely. Ryuu sprang out of the bed and met him halfway.
They were in each other's arms in the next second.
"See you soon," Frey whispered against his companion's neck.
"You too," the man whispered back.
Then as everything vanished before him, Frey inclined his head and kissed Ryuu for the final time.
Yuuri had always hated meeting with the leaders of the Noble Houses.
Being stuck inside a stuffy room and subjected to the unflattering scrutiny of a bunch of aristocratic old men was hardly something that he enjoyed doing – certainly not an experience that he would willingly replicate. But it was a mark of how much he had really grown into his role as a king that he was here today, facing the aristocrats from his seat at the head of the table, successfully masking his anxiety with an air of determination.
Gwendal and Gunter were seated nearest to him, and it was clear to the rest of the leaders that the two men were there more to guard Yuuri from possible harm, and to a much lesser extent, to represent their own Houses in the different issues that would be discussed.
Von Wincott and von Karbelnikoff were seated together on one side of the long, wooden counter. A brooding Adelbert von Grantz was at the opposite side along with a jittery Stoffel von Spitzberg. Von Gylenhaal stared hostilely at Yuuri from the farthest end.
Yuuri took his time to meet everyone's eyes, trying to assess how receptive each one would be regarding this morning's agenda. He cleared his throat and began with one of the most pressing issues.
"I was told…that you have some misgivings about my recent decisions and actions," he said neutrally. "I was informed that you want me to prove my worth to you as the Maou."
Yuuri had cautiously structured his sentences, careful not to mention any names in order not to antagonize anybody while they were just starting. His efforts were in vain as von Gylenhaal immediately took offense.
"I think it is but fair, Heika. The deaths of Radford and Rochefort aside, the mere fact that thousands of other lives were lost in just a single day, begs the question of whether you have truly acted with the kingdom's best interests at heart."
"You have some nerve speaking like that to Heika," Gunter said, rising to Yuuri's defense. "You weren't even there, my lord."
"I'm just saying that the way Heika handled the situation—"
"—was the best that could be done given the circumstances," finished Gwendal. "Gunter is right. You speak too much of how poorly the situation was handled, but I don't even remember you doing anything, my lord." The general paused, holding von Gylenhaal's offended gaze. "While Heika and the rest of us were risking our lives out in the battlefield, what have you been doing? My lord?" The last two words were added in a clear effort to remain polite.
Von Wincott – back to his normal, appeasing self – intervened. His light blue eyes shimmered slightly with regret, reminding Yuuri of Julia's own eyes, and how they had seemed to shine with kindness and serenity even in the face of malice and danger. Von Wincott was a good man, Yuuri decided. All the aristocrats were good men – good men who contemplated and, in von Radford and von Rochefort's cases, did terrible things for the sake of their people.
"Gwendal," said von Wincott with a courteous nod, "I admit that I had been too disturbed and angry the last time that we met, and I regret some of the things that I've said. However, believe me when I tell you that we do not mean to trivialize your efforts and your deeds." The young lord's gaze went to Yuuri. "Heika, we do recognize how it must have pained you to go to war, knowing that you were always so against armed confrontations with the humans. But…"
"But?" Yuuri prodded when the man hesitated.
"But…I think you have done so for the wrong reasons." Von Wincott glanced at von Gylenhaal. "I think this is what you are trying to say?"
Von Gylenhaal nodded. Yuuri stared at the two aristocrats in confusion and repeated, "Wrong reasons?"
Lord von Karbelnikoff eyed him, his expression bleak. "You rushed out to battle when you found out that Lord Wolfram had also disappeared along with the armies. Just for the sake of argument Heika, if Lord Wolfram had not gone missing, would you have done the exact same things that you did?"
Yuuri blinked, trying to process everything. "I…I don't understand. Why does the reason for my actions concern you so much?"
Adelbert grunted impatiently. "You don't get it do you, brat?"
"Adelbert…" Gunter called out warningly, narrowing his eyes at the man's rude tone.
Yuuri waved his hand to forestall an argument between the two men. "Let him speak, Gunter."
Adelbert made another irritated sound at the back of his throat and spared Yuuri a distasteful look. "Weller convinced me to return here because he made me believe that you needed—er—that this was a matter of grave importance. I should have known that you were just being stupid as usual."
"Adelbert!" Gunter said again, this time rising from his chair. "If I hear one more disparaging word out of your filthy mouth—"
"The brat told you to let me speak…dog."
"Lord von Grantz!" von Wincott reprimanded, joining the fray. "We understand that this is the first time in a long while that you have attended a council such as this—"
"—that you have clearly forgotten to bring your manners," finished von Gylenhaal disgustedly.
"Now I remember the reason why we never invite the House of von Grantz," chimed Stoffel, squeezing the comment under cover of the other nobles' remarks.
Yuuri's tolerance level for worthless squabbles had already reached rock bottom. Without even thinking twice about what he was doing, the water dragons came roaring out of his palm, rushing in a wave through the center of the table before finally twisting themselves without exception around each of the aristocrats' torsos, reining them all in.
That had the desired effect. Everyone fell deathly still, all much too surprised by the icy water snaking around their bodies to even utter a single word. It was Adelbert who broke the silence.
"Oi, brat! What's the meaning of this?"
Yuuri could sense the Maou's powers leaking out of him, and he welcomed the feeling of control and boost in confidence that the ancient spirit's maryoku accorded him. He allowed the power to flow through his body, just enough to give him the needed strength, but not too much to override his mind. Yuuri discovered that if he did it this way, he could use the Maou's force without having to relinquish control of his mind and body every single time.
"Better," he said quietly, surveying the aristocrats' shocked and resentful faces. "Now we all speak and listen to one another. Nobody speaks out of turn. Adelbert? You were saying something?"
The man looked like he would protest, but he took one look at Yuuri's expression and he said grudgingly, "I was just saying that you don't get the point. Everything you've done so far – no matter how much you deny it – is for that Bielefeld brat's sake. You must have forgotten that you are the king first, and Wolfram's fiancé second."
"He is right, Heika," added von Wincott after a beat. "Our issue lies with the fact that in your list of priorities, Lord Wolfram obviously comes first. What happens now if – and I say if – our worst suspicions are true and Lord Wolfram has indeed betrayed Shin Makoku? What will you do then, Heika?"
"We're worried," said von Karbelnikoff, shifting uncomfortably within the water dragons' tight grasps. "We're afraid that Lord Wolfram will be your downfall, and by extension, a possible cause of the kingdom's ruin as well. Do not get us wrong, Heika. Personally, I am pleased that your relationship with Lord Wolfram had progressed so much as of late – and without influence from any of my sister's inventions at that – but the thing is…we are no longer sure of Lord Wolfram's allegiance."
Von Gylenhaal took up the thread of the discussion. "Even if it was Lord Wolfram who eventually killed the enemy, the circumstances of Lord Ryuu's death are still questionable. I've conversed with several soldiers who witnessed the event, and all of them are of the opinion that Lord Wolfram also tried to…well…to kill you, Heika." He paused, then plunged on. "I know that you vouched for Lord Wolfram's loyalty, and I think that you have no qualms of doing so again…but if you can just find it in yourself to forget about your feelings for him for a moment and look at things with an objective eye, I, for one, will greatly appreciate that."
"I…I agree," said Stoffel, avoiding Yuuri's penetrating gaze. "I know what you must think of me, considering that Cecilie is my sister, and Wolfram, my nephew. But…love is many a ruler's bane, Heika. My own sister's short-lived regime should attest to that."
Yuuri listened without comment, barely stopping himself from butting in each time, determined to set an example. When Stoffel was done, Yuuri turned to Gunter and Gwendal, silently asking if they had anything more to add.
Gunter said thoughtfully, "Listening to everything, I think I can understand everyone's point. But for what it's worth Heika, I believe that Wolfram's…feelings…for you are as strong as yours are for him. I think you would do well, ruling over Shin Makoku, with Wolfram by your side."
Determined not to let his embarrassment show at that touching comment, Yuuri swallowed hard and glanced at Gwendal instead. What does the general have to say, being Wolfram's older brother?
The man said slowly, "Wolfram had always followed rules meticulously – that much I know of him, that much I can guarantee. That is why most of his actions these past weeks have baffled me to no end. My initial concern right now is getting the truth out of him, and I leave Heika to decide what he wants to do after that. But" – his dark eyes zoomed onto Yuuri's, suddenly more cold and forbidding than normal – "Wolfram is my brother, and should you decide against his favor, I'm afraid that I will have to act. Even if that means removing myself from my current position, and by consequence, from Blood Pledge Castle." Gwendal leaned back, looking not the slightest bit bothered by the water dragons twisted around his waist. "That is not a threat, Heika. I just speak the truth."
Yuuri nodded, taking a moment to review everything. Now he understood perfectly. From the way that the nobles presented things, it all boiled down to a choice – being a fiancé or being a king? Wolfram or the kingdom?
He sighed, sinking down his chair. The water dragons disappeared with a splash, and everyone breathed more freely, although none seemed inclined to speak again – at least not without Yuuri's permission.
Yuuri took another breath. This was precisely the scenario that Wolfram had warned him about, and he knew what exactly the boy wanted him to do in this type of situation.
Never compromise your position as the Maou. Never step down from being king no matter what happens. Never leave Shin Makoku.
Choose the kingdom.
Yuuri remembered Wolfram's entreaties from what felt like a long time ago, back in the castle dungeons, when they'd had a brief moment of peace to actually talk about their progressing relationship. He now regretted his hasty promise that he would comply – that should push came to shove, he would do everything to keep his position. Yuuri didn't feel the least bit guilty for breaking it now though, thinking that he'd rather have Wolfram's anger for reneging on a deal, rather than his approval for keeping a promise that would surely tear them apart.
His mind made up, Yuuri turned to Adelbert and said, "I admit that much of what propelled me to action that day was Wolfram's disappearance. You were right – I…I was thinking more of him when we set out. But when I fought Ryuu, I was fighting for Shin Makoku as much as I was fighting for him."
He turned to von Wincott next. "I understand that Wolfram has a lot of things to account for and certainly a lot of questions to answer. But even if his actions exemplify the very definition of treason in your book, I do not believe for a moment that Wolfram had meant to harm anybody. That is why I beg you to listen to him first."
Yuuri shifted to meet von Karbelnikoff's eyes. "Considering what Lord von Rochefort and Lord von Radford had done, I am not entirely sure of any of your allegiances as well. No offense meant, of course." He smiled internally at the looks of discomfort on the nobles' faces. "But you are all my countrymen, and I need to be able to trust you. As for Wolfram himself, I know that he'd no sooner kill himself rather than be the cause of anybody's ruin – especially mine, or the kingdom's."
To von Gylenhaal, Yuuri said, "You are right – I will vouch for Wolfram again. And regarding what happened the day that he killed Ryuu…I am as confused as anybody else. But I reserve all of my opinions until the time that Wolfram wakes up and has the capacity and opportunity to speak for himself, and defend himself if necessary. That – I think – is the essence of objectivity."
Yuuri addressed his next statement to Stoffel. "Her love for her sons is one of Lady Cheri's strengths. I dare say that if she only listened to her heart before she sent Conrad and an army of half-Mazoku soldiers to Rutenberg, then perhaps she might have avoided an appalling tragedy."
His eyes had actually circled the table by answering each of the aristocrats' concerns, and now he was back to one of the men seated beside him. "Gunter…" Yuuri said, smiling a little. "Thank you so much. Being the Maou or not – I fully intend to convince Wolfram to stay by my side always. And you too, if you'll consent to stay no matter how things turned out."
Seeing that tears were already starting to form in the man's eyes at his last statement, Yuuri quickly turned to Gwendal. "I want to know the truth too…but as early as now, I give you my word that I will never do anything to harm Wolfram."
Yuuri straightened up, leaning forward to face everyone again. "I cannot undo what had already happened, and I deeply regret that I wasn't able to save everyone, but I think – no, I believe – that I can fix this. If you'll allow me to be your king the best that I know how." He paused to let that sink in, then he went on with a warning, "However, since you've all laid your cards on the table, I may as well do the same."
He caught Gwendal's eye and smiled. "Wolfram is my fiancé, and I…I love him. If circumstances conspire against his favor, then I will have to act. Even if that means removing myself from my position, and of course, from Shin Makoku as well."
"Heika…"
"Oi, brat…"
Yuuri nearly laughed at the flabbergasted faces around him, but he held in his amusement and continued, echoing Gwendal's earlier words:
"That is not a threat," he said, allowing a challenging grin to grace his features, silently daring anyone to come forth and question his will. "I just speak the truth."
And Yuuri knew deep inside that he would make good on his word. If he had to choose between being Wolfram's fiancé and being the Maou, Yuuri would gladly pick the former. Even if it meant giving up the throne. Even if it meant giving up his access to this world. Even if it meant leaving everything behind.
Yuuri suddenly realized how deeply he had fallen for the boy he had accidentally proposed to – so deep that he couldn't imagine a world without him. So deep that he would slowly pine away if he lost him. So deep that there was nothing he wouldn't give up for him anymore.
"Do you think that he managed to convince them?" Damien asked anxiously. "I mean, if he is deposed, that would certainly be very chaotic, wouldn't it?"
Saralegui made a noncommittal sound, sparing him an indifferent look before returning his gaze out of the window. They were both in Wolfram's room – Damien seated next to the bed, Saralegui standing by the open window. Gisela had just left to cater to the other patients, leaving Damien to keep an eye on Wolfram's condition. Saralegui had stopped by, obviously distracted and was not at all being a very good company at the moment.
"Shinzoku!" Damien said loudly, trying to catch the king's attention. He had tried to engage the boy in a discussion regarding the ongoing meeting between the Maou and the leaders of the Mazoku Noble Houses, but he had failed so far to elicit an adequate response from his companion.
"Oi, Shinzoku!" Damien called out again. "Are you listening?"
Saralegui didn't even glance at him. The boy lifted one hand to stroke his chin, a far-away look on his face.
Damien frowned. He already had one person in the room whom he couldn't have a conversation with – Wolfram – and being in a comatose state was a perfectly good reason for the boy's silence and unresponsiveness. But what was Saralegui's excuse?
Damien stood up and approached the Shou Shimaron king, snapping his fingers loudly in front of the king's face as soon as he got near. Saralegui gave a start, looking as if he was just recovering from a trance.
"What?" he asked, annoyed.
"I should ask you the same thing," said Damien, studying the other boy's face. "I've been talking to you for the past five minutes, if you didn't happen to notice. What's wrong? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about handing the throne over to me?"
Saralegui rolled his eyes. "First, I didn't hand the throne over. I retreated for now, but who knows? I might still try to take Dai Shimaron away from you in the future."
Damien snorted. Typical Saralegui. There was a veiled threat somewhere there, but there was also an indirect encouragement for Damien to protect his recently-acquired kingdom.
"Second," Saralegui added, "I was listening to you, but since most of your questions were either rhetorical or self-explanatory or not a question at all, I didn't see much point in saying anything."
"I just asked you a question that didn't belong to any of your concocted categories," protested Damien.
Saralegui ignored him. "And lastly…I've been thinking of Lord Ryuu and Lord von Bielefeld. Or more particularly, about the connection between the two."
Damien immediately perked up at that, his interest piqued. That same thought had crossed his mind several times during the past hours, haunting him even in his sleep. The conversation he'd had with the Maou yesterday also heightened his uneasiness, making him increasingly receptive to the idea that Wolfram and Ryuu did have a fairly intimate relationship in the past.
'Frey and Ryuu,' Damien thought. If Frey and Ryuu were indeed lovers, why did Ryuu kill Frey? If Wolfram recovered Frey's memories, did he also recover the latter's feelings – both love and hatred – for Ryuu?
Those questions only resulted to more unanswered questions. If Wolfram hated Ryuu, why did he protect him that day at Bielefeld Castle? Why did he kiss him that time at the battlefront? But conversely, if Wolfram loved Ryuu…
"Why did he kill him?" Saralegui asked, finishing Damien's thoughts. "There's something that just doesn't fit here…"
Damien nodded in agreement. "I know. But I guess if you go back to what happened that day, you could say that Wolf was only trying to protect the Maou."
Saralegui arched one eyebrow at his response. "Yuuri didn't need protecting. He was winning when Lord von Bielefeld interfered. I'm sure he saw that."
"So you're saying that Wolf came between the two to protect Ryuu?"
"Maybe. They were fairly intimate for a moment there."
Damien stopped, wondering for an instant whether the other boy could read minds. That was the second time that he had plucked the exact words out of Damien's head. He frowned. "Yes, but Wolf killed Ryuu…"
"But why did he do that?"
They were going in circles, Damien realized after a second. He suspected that they could both argue about it on and on, but they were saved the prospect of taking another stab at solving the mystery by the sound of the door opening. Damien turned just in time to see the Maou and his entourage enter.
The Mazoku king's eyes first went to the bed, then at the two of them standing by the window. He smiled warmly, and Damien was glad that he was now considered more of a friend rather than a rival to also be a recipient of that hospitable gesture.
"Sara. Damien." The Maou nodded to each one of them, before taking his usual place beside the headboard, where he could easily reach out to stroke Wolfram's hair. Conrad, Gunter, and Gwendal followed right after, going around the bed in a loose circle.
"How is he?" Gwendal asked.
Damien gestured helplessly with one hand. "As you can see, about the same as yesterday. And the day before that."
"Thank you for staying with him," said Conrad.
"It was nothing," Damien answered automatically.
"Although," said Gunter, "perhaps you might already be contemplating your own journey home?"
"Of course no—" Damien stopped, suddenly realizing why the Maou's three most important advisors were there too. This wasn't a simple visit. The three men had accompanied their king for a reason.
Saralegui must have sensed this too, for he asked, directing his inquiry to the Maou, "What's going on? Does this have something to do with your meeting with the leaders of the Noble Houses?"
The Maou nodded apologetically. "Yes, and I don't want to appear rude, but how long are you planning to stay in Shin Makoku?"
Damien and Saralegui glanced at each other, both wondering if they had just outstayed their welcome.
Saralegui answered, "I've sent for a ship to bear my people back to Shou Shimaron. Which reminds me, perhaps you could inform the harbor not to sink a human vessel that would be arriving some time in the next few days…?"
Damien squirmed in discomfort. Saralegui's efficiency made him feel so amateurish in comparison. He hadn't thought of preparing or sending for anything from Dai Shimaron at all. And now that he had time to dwell upon it, how were they going to get back to their country? Certainly not by foot.
The others were waiting for his response, and Damien flushed, keenly embarrassed at his own inadequacy. Suddenly, his prior answer – "as soon as Wolfram recovers" – didn't sound too reasonable at all.
He cleared his throat. "Er…I'm not yet sure. But maybe some time in the next few days as well."
The Maou looked satisfied at their answers. "That's time enough."
"Enough for what?" Saralegui inquired.
It was Gunter who replied. "My lords, we have drafted another treaty for both of you to examine. It's basically a derivative of the one we gave you before, Saralegui-Heika, but there were points that we had to expound on…"
"The treaty was my idea," added the Maou. "I'm sorry for suddenly jumping this on you, but the sooner that we achieve a working peace treaty, the sooner that everyone would feel a little bit safer and a little less inclined to go kill someone."
"Are your aristocrats still pushing for war?" asked Saralegui, brows knitted together.
"Some still want revenge for the deaths of Radford-san and Rochefort-san but we were able to outvote them this time," the Maou answered. "And to assure the others who sided with me that Shou Shimaron and Dai Shimaron wouldn't march against us once again, I promised them a signed treaty before the end of the week."
Damien shared another look with Saralegui. He said uncertainly, "I have never signed a treaty before. I honestly don't know what to do."
"Start by not saying that you don't know what to do," advised Saralegui. "A king must not appear weak to his subjects, and most especially to rulers of other countries."
A king. Damien had never thought of himself that way, but yet he was now one. A king. The king of Dai Shimaron. At par with Saralegui of Shou Shimaron and Shibuya Yuuri of Shin Makoku.
Thinking of his new station was a bit unnerving, but it also opened up a lot of exciting possibilities. Now he was at a position where he could change things for the better, to amend the twisted path perpetuated by the past rulers of Dai Shimaron. And now, allying himself with Saralegui and the Maou, they would have a chance – a rare opportunity – to change the world.
"I'd sign the treaty," Damien said. "I've had enough of war."
Saralegui huffed in disapproval. "You can't agree so easily to something you haven't even read yet, Ryuzoku. Seriously, do you even know what you're doing?"
"Not really," Damien replied, glancing at the boy slyly. "I may not be ready to be king after all. Want to take the kingdom back now?"
Saralegui glowered at him. "Don't ever say that to me, and don't ever let somebody else hear you say that! Do you want a rebellion on your hands, you fool? If one of the power-hungry nobilities in Dai Shimaron – and believe me, there are a lot of them – hears that you aren't so enthusiastic about—"
"Sara," interrupted the Maou, his voice bursting with quiet laughter. "I think Damien's just joking."
"I was," Damien affirmed, grinning. "There's no need to get so upset about it."
"I wasn't upset," Saralegui denied, deflating. "I'm exasperated that you don't know anything about being a king. It's exhausting to watch you."
Stung, Damien opened his mouth to speak, but the Maou started laughing, distracting him from what he'd been about to say. "It's a relief then that you're here, Sara," said the Maou jestingly. "Otherwise, no one would tell Damien how to do it right."
Saralegui shook his head, but this time, he was smiling slightly. "On second thought, I guess you'll do just fine, Ryuzoku. Look at Yuuri here…"
"Hey!" the Mazoku king cried in mock indignation.
"He has a point, Heika," said Conrad, chuckling as he watched the exchange. Gunter, and even Gwendal were smiling too.
"I made a lot of mistakes," the Maou admitted. "But I think I turned out fine."
The atmosphere had lightened up considerably, and Damien found himself laughing and smiling more frequently that he had ever done in the past weeks. He caught the Maou's eyes, returning the king's grin. "I think you are a good king, Heika. Should I be taking lessons from you instead?"
The Maou's grin widened. "There's no step by step way to do it really. But if you have a group of trustworthy people around you," – he gestured to Conrad, Gunter, and Gwendal – "that would certainly be a start." The young king's gaze went down to the sleeping figure on the bed, and his face softened. He added quietly, "And if you can find a hot-tempered fiancé who would stay by your side and help you become the best ruler that you can be…then…you may consider yourself to be extremely lucky."
The mood shifted as everyone's attention went back to Wolfram. The boy was still asleep, still dead to the world. Damien's gaze traveled to the boy's face, wondering if he could ever meet someone like him in the future. As if sensing his thoughts, the Maou looked up, black eyes boring into Damien's. The king beckoned to him, signaling for him to come closer.
Curious despite himself, Damien strode towards the Maou, bending down a little as the Maou whispered something in his ears, ever so silently so that nobody else heard what was being said.
"Unfortunately…" the Maou said, one hand curling possessively around Wolfram's, "…this one's taken. Please remember that."
Damien pulled back, and for a moment, he thought he saw the Maou's eyeballs transform into narrow slits – much like a cat's – but the moment passed, and all he saw was the kind face of the young Mazoku king.
Damien nodded, not knowing whether to feel afraid or amused. He settled for the latter, and he smiled again, glad that things were starting to turn out fine between them.
"So…what about the treaty, Heika?" Damien asked, changing the topic.
"You really won't read it?" asked the Maou, regarding him skeptically.
"Maybe a little," he replied with ease. "But I trust you."
The Maou smiled and looked over Damien's shoulder. "What about you, Sara?"
Damien glanced back at the Shou Shimaron king, waiting for his reply. Saralegui glared at them both and said in a frustrated tone, "Give me a copy and I'll think about it." Then he crossed his arms and sighed. "But if it just specifies that we maintain the peace between our countries, then consider it signed."
"I think you have yourself a deal, Heika," Damien said happily.
The Maou mirrored his expression and said, "Thank you. And please call me Yuuri."
Surprised, Damien could only nod in gratitude. Suddenly, despite the battle and the deaths and Wolfram's condition and the fact that he didn't know anything about running a kingdom, he felt immensely optimistic about the future.
"Are you sure this would work?" Shori asked, glancing at Murata. They were standing near the treasure room in Blood Pledge Castle, behind a particularly wide post, where they could watch the room's entrance without being seen.
"Well, Gottfried's condition involved not telling anyone about what we found out at the Crypt," answered the sage. "But similar to what Shinou did, we can lead the others to the truth in ways that do not necessarily entail our direct participation."
"Which means…?"
Murata smiled. "Which means that this way is perfectly within the bounds of the condition, which would mean in turn that we are not violating anything. And to answer your earlier question, it would certainly work."
As Shori stared at the scene before him, a small figure entered the treasure room and exited with a large object in both hands. He recognized the person – Greta – and this only added to his confusion. How could this possibly – in Murata's own words – lead the others to the truth? Still not comprehending anything, Shori asked, "What is she doing here?"
Murata replied quietly, "Shinou found out that she had played a significant part in the events leading to that battle a week ago. With everyone so busy in their own affairs, none had so far listened to her story in its entirety." The sage shrugged. "It's truly a pity, for she had a very interesting tale to tell."
"And I assume we're going to help her tell her story? How?"
"With that," the other boy answered, pointing at the object in the girl's hands. "Shinou is influencing her mind, giving her the courage to take that to Shibuya."
Shori stared curiously at the object of interest. "That" looked like a large, ramen bowl to him, but the expression on his companion's face told him that it must be something more.
"And how is stealing a bowl going to benefit Greta? And us?"
Murata smiled at him once again and said cryptically, "You'll see."
Peace. Conrad could still not believe that such an elusive state was nearly within their reach.
After clearing up the misunderstandings brought about by the events of the previous weeks, King Antoine of Francia had finally written to say that he was now back in control of his country, and that their alliance with Shin Makoku still remained intact.
Lady Flynn of Caloria and Lord Cruyff of Cavalcade had also written to thank them for resolving the situation with the dragons, and like King Antoine, both affirmed their continuing dedication to creating a war-free world by maintaining their treaty with the Mazoku.
And now, with Saralegui's and Damien's acquiescence to the treaty, they could finally start coexisting alongside the humans without undue conflict. The addition of Shou Shimaron and Dai Shimaron into the alliance would surely herald a new era of harmony between their races. And if everyone kept their sides of the bargain, there was no longer any reason for Mazoku and humans to keep fighting against each other.
Which now leaves the other race – the Ryuzoku. Conrad had no idea what the members of the dragon tribe plan on doing now. Would they – like the Shinzoku – retreat to a hidden place somewhere and start their lives, away from prying human and demon eyes? And what were they planning to do with Wolfram? Would they ask him to come along? Did Wolfram need to go with them? Would he?
Conrad glanced at the couple atop the bed – Yuuri, playing absently with Wolfram's hair, and Wolfram, as still as a statue and looking so oblivious to the world around him. Conrad wondered the same thing that he was sure was also on his godson's mind – when would Wolfram wake up?
His train of thought was interrupted when somebody barged into the room. He twisted around to see who could possibly be so insensitive enough to enter a sick person's bedroom in such an impolite manner. The rebuke that he was about to fling at this newcomer died on his lips when he saw who it was.
It was Greta.
The girl stared at all of them sullenly, closing the door with a snap. She strode towards Yuuri, balancing a large, porcelain bowl with both hands, and began accusingly, "You told me that we'd talk, but you never came. I told you that I needed to tell you what happened to me."
Yuuri looked both disapproving and sheepish. "I know Greta," he said, "and I'm sorry. I…I just got so busy…" Then his black eyes narrowed slightly with concern and confusion as he recognized the object in his daughter's arms. "Greta…what in the world are you doing here with that?"
"Because I told everyone what happened and no one believed me!" Greta howled. "It's my fault that Wolfram was hurt! I—"
"Greta…" Yuuri quickly got to his feet and approached the girl, but Greta withdrew and refused to be consoled. "Look, you didn't have anything to do with this—"
"It was MY fault!" Greta insisted. "I'll show you. So just stay there and watch!"
The expression on the girl's face was so severe that Yuuri could only nod in agreement. Conrad glanced at his companions hesitantly, wondering whether they should already interfere. But then Yuuri said, "Okay. But be careful with that, will you? If that breaks apart—"
"I KNOW!" Greta bellowed. "Just…just shut up and watch!"
Conrad looked around him. Each one – even Saralegui – seemed to recognize what the object was, and all were already waiting for something to happen. The only one who looked confused was Damien.
And then it started.
Greta closed her eyes tightly and the bowl glowed. The bedroom slowly vanished and seconds later, Conrad found that they were somehow transported into a clearing near the forest. There were soldiers all around them, and right in front, Wolfram stood clad in a brown cloak, with Greta right beside him. Behind the two was a scarlet dragon tethered with large metal chains to a tree. Wolfram was arguing with a man that Conrad had no trouble identifying as Lord von Radford.
"What is happening?" Damien asked, eyes wide. His gaze switching back and forth between the Wolfram in the bed, and the one standing a few paces in front of them, as well as the Greta in the room and her doppelganger who was beside Wolfram, Damien repeated, "What…is happening?"
It was Saralegui who answered, pointing at the bowl, "That is the demon mirror – a very rare artifact that could project images of a person's memories. Some say that it could actually transport somebody into the past…"
Conrad saw Damien turn to the Maou for confirmation, but the king looked already absorbed in the unfolding scene before them. Everybody else was also watching raptly, and Conrad too, returned his attention to the moving figures conjured by the demon mirror.
"You! This is all your fault! You informed them that we were coming—!"
Lord von Radford's livid voice rang through the air, so real and alive that it was almost as if he was really there. The man was pointing an accusatory finger at Wolfram, who stared back at the man in indignation.
"How could I have done that? I was your prisoner the entire time."
Wolfram's voice, even if it was generated by the artifact's magic, was good to hear. Conrad watched as Lord von Radford strode forward to strike Wolfram, as Wolfram summoned a bluish ball of fire in each hand to defend himself, and as the dragon snarled protectively to secure him. Conrad saw Lord von Radford hesitate at this display of power, saw how one of the soldiers grabbed Greta from Wolfram's side and pressed a knife against her throat, and how Wolfram stopped and tried to get the soldier to release her.
"Greta," said Conrad after a beat. "This…this really happened?"
The present Greta sniffed. "I told you it was my fault. That man" – she gestured with her head towards Lord von Radford – "tricked me into going with him. He…he brought Wolfram and me to the forest…and then…they brought us near the camp of the other army…but something went wrong. The enemies found out that we were there…and then…"
The figures in Greta's memory spoke for themselves.
"Move and she dies. This was your fault! You should have been arrested and executed! You should have died!"
"Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!"
"You traitor. You betrayed us when you left with Damien Schwarz. You betrayed us again when you defended Lord Maximilian. And now you turn against us once more! How dare you—!"
The present Greta explained, "Lord von Radford thought that Wolfram gave away our location, so he…he…"
"Greta…" Yuuri knelt beside the girl and placed his arms around her shoulders. This time, Greta didn't withdraw. "I'm sorry. I didn't know…I know I should have listened—"
Greta shook her head. "It isn't over yet. Just watch okay?"
The soldiers in the memory had stopped moving, and Conrad easily saw why. Every one was hit with a single arrow – the projectiles lodged on a vital part of each one's anatomy. The past Greta's terrified scream echoed in his ears.
And then Ryuu was there, standing just behind Lord von Radford. The man pivoted around.
"What the—?"
Ryuu was looking at Wolfram, white eyes narrowed into angry slits.
"Frey, are you hurt?"
Conrad frowned. If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn that Wolfram's face lit up at Ryuu's apparent concern.
"I'm fine. Ryuu—"
"Go. It's dangerous to stay here…"
"Ryuu…!"
"Please…"
Lord von Radford looked confused as he listened to this odd exchange of words. Conrad was puzzled too, and looking at the expressions on everyone's faces, he knew that they all felt the same way.
"That strange man came," said Greta, sounding close to tears. "And he…he…"
The girl seemed incapable of describing what she witnessed next. Looking back at the memory, Conrad quickly understood why. Ryuu started attacking everyone within his reach. In the same instant, he saw Wolfram running back, taking Greta with him. The dragon had somehow broken free of its bonds, and it was beside Wolfram and Greta in the next second. A moment after that, they were flying off to safety.
The last things they saw – which were perhaps also the last ones that Greta remembered – was Ryuu cutting down one soldier after another, with a level of violence surpassing that of a wild, hungry beast.
And then everything dissolved, and the only sound left was that of Greta crying, as she finally broke down and allowed the Maou to comfort her.
Yuuri tried to calm his daughter down, all the while thinking what an insensitive jerk he'd been for not taking the time to sit down with Greta and listen to what she had to say. When the girl first attempted to talk to him, he had immediately assumed that it was neither important nor relevant to what was happening to Wolfram or the kingdom, so he had dismissed her without a second thought.
Seeing all these now, Yuuri felt even guiltier for ignoring his daughter for the past days. All this time, everyone had been wondering what really happened that day that the Radford and Rochefort armies marched out. All this time, Yuuri had been wondering why Wolfram went with Lord von Radford in the first place.
Now he understood. Von Radford had taken Greta hostage, leaving Wolfram with no other choice but to also go with them. This information would certainly help if and when Wolfram's trial pushes through.
After what seemed like five whole minutes, Greta finally subsided. She pulled back, wiping her eyes and hiccupping slightly. She looked calmer, as if a large weight had been pulled out of her young shoulders.
Yuuri gave her head another pat. "I'm really sorry for not talking to you before, Greta. But thank you for showing this to me now."
"Will it help Wolfram?" asked the girl hopefully.
"Yes. Yes, it will." Yuuri glanced at his advisors. "Make sure that the nobles find out what Radford-san did. He'd clearly forced Wolfram to go with them." He added darkly, "Plus, he tried to have Greta and Wolf killed…"
Conrad nodded. "We will, Heika. However…Greta? How did you return to the castle?"
Gwendal seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Yes, Greta. Did Wolfram leave you somewhere?"
Greta gave another sniff. "He…he left me with a girl…Wolfram called her Weisser…"
Yuuri straightened up, hands gripping his daughter's shoulders. "Did they talk about something Greta? Can you show us that too?"
His daughter looked surprised at his eagerness but she nodded just the same. Clutching the demon mirror tightly, she closed her eyes. All at once, the bedroom began to dissolve again.
Yuuri blinked, and just like that, the bedroom was no more. This time, they were on a small space by the side of a cliff. This was probably the place Wolfram and Greta had flown off to to get away from the battle.
"You picked a good vantage point."
Weisser came from behind, looking as if he had just emerged from a solid wall of rock. Strangely enough, Wolfram didn't look threatened by his presence. Standing side by side as they were, the similarity between their features was more evident than ever. Their attentions were both directed at only one person.
Ryuu.
"Look. Right now, Ryuu is not even aware of what he is doing. This is a mere preview of what he will become should you fail."
Yuuri frowned. Should Wolfram fail? Fail in what?
"But…There is a way to save him after all…"
The look in Wolfram's face was pure anguish.
"You remembered? I told you, it's not a choice that Ryuu would approve of."
"But if it will save him…"
"You think that you could go the other way? Back then, when we first talked about that possibility, he was just the 'other soul' to you…but right now, he has become something more, hasn't he?"
"I hate this."
"You have an interesting choice upon you. And it seems as if the time to choose has come."
Yuuri shared a look of perplexity with his companions. Then somewhere far below the cliff, he saw himself. Or rather, his past self. This was the moment when they had all been desperately trying to catch up with the errant Mazoku armies.
"Yuuri!"
The past Greta's face looked both relieved and joyful, but beside her, Wolfram seemed disappointed and afraid. There was a brief moment of silence. Then—
"Go. Leave the girl to me. I'll guard her with my life."
"Wolfram…!"
"Don't worry. I'll be right back, okay?"
"But—!"
Yuuri watched as Wolfram pried Greta's arms from around his neck and gently pulled away. Then just before the memory faded, Yuuri saw Wolfram glancing at Weisser and heard his final words.
"If I…If I succeed…make sure that she makes her way back home."
They all watched Wolfram fly off, spiraling down to the battlefield, and just like a movie winding down to its conclusion, the memory faded into black. No one spoke for a while, all obviously digesting what they had just seen and heard. Then Yuuri exclaimed, "What on earth was that?"
"If he succeeds…" Saralegui said thoughtfully. "It was almost as if success meant that Lord von Bielefeld wouldn't return…"
"But success in doing what?" Damien put in. "The only thing that Wolfram had accomplished was…"
"…kill Ryuu…" Yuuri finished with horror. "But I…I don't get this at all! Weisser wouldn't possibly ask Wolf to kill his own comrade right? And I don't believe that Wolfram would just comply without a valid cause. Why…?"
Conrad answered quietly, "Assuming that that was the case, then…perhaps there was something at stake? Something that would motivate Wolfram enough to do what he did…"
"But what exactly…?"
Nobody had any answers. Even Saralegui and Gunter – the two people whom Yuuri could always rely on for solutions to the most intricate problems – looked stumped. Finally, Yuuri sighed in defeat. "This is useless. Wolf needs to wake up. We need to know everything from him personally…"
Damien suddenly looked at him. "Hey, could you repeat that?"
"Know everything from him…?" said Yuuri, mystified. Then looking down at the demon mirror in Greta's hands, he realized what the other boy was getting at.
Damien continued eagerly, "If this artifact could show memories, could it also show us what is inside Wolf's mind right now?"
Yuuri felt a jolt of excitement. He wasn't entirely sure if the demon mirror could be used that way with an unconscious person, but hey, this bowl-looking object did bring him once into the past, right? Surely showing what was going on inside Wolfram's brain would be a mere cinch.
He said, matching Damien's enthusiasm, "Yes, that's a great idea!'
Saralegui didn't look as optimistic. He said with a doubtful note in his voice, "But isn't doing that intruding into Lord von Bielefeld's private thoughts? He isn't exactly awake to give us permission to rifle through his memories."
Yuuri could see the logic in that, but his curiosity and desire to know what was going on inside his fiancé's head right now far outweighed any regard he might have for the boy's privacy. He argued, "It's precisely because of that that we need to do this." He glanced at his advisors for support. "If we knew what is happening in Wolf's mind right now, we might find a way to wake him up, right?"
Gunter looked torn. "I…I guess you have a point Heika, but…I am not sure…I also do not want Wolfram to get mad at us for breaking into his head. What do you think, Conrad?"
Conrad said, "Well, this is important…"
They all started debating about the merits of acting on Damien's suggestion, all absorbed in arguing their respective opinions, that Greta's intruding voice made them all jump in surprise.
"Just do it already!"
Everybody turned towards Greta. The girl glared at all of them and repeated, "Just do it already! If it will help Wolfram, just do it!"
Everyone had the sense not to argue with a child. Nodding mutely, Yuuri took the demon mirror from Greta's hands and carefully placed it atop Wolfram's stomach. Then he reached out for the boy's limp hands and put it around the mirror.
They all stood back and waited.
A second later, the mirror shone brightly, and the room dissolved for the third time.
Damien waited with bated breath. He was as interested as anybody else to actually be inside Wolfram's head and find out what the boy was currently thinking about.
He stood back, waiting for something to happen. But unlike Greta's memories which were clear and defined, Wolfram's were more diverse and out of sync. The boy's thoughts seemed to be meandering here and there with no particular direction. At least several scenes and images were flashing before their eyes in an incomprehensible blur, that it was nearly impossible to make sense of anything.
Then thankfully, everything stopped. One scene slowly emerged before their eyes.
"Where are we?" the Maou asked, looking around.
"Is this Shinou's Temple?" asked Damien, taking in the large, white building which towered magnificently above them.
"No, this isn't the temple. Where—?"
The Maou's question was cut short as two people suddenly surfaced out of nowhere. One was Ryuu, and the other was…Wolfram?
No, Damien corrected himself. Although, the other man that Ryuu began fighting with strongly resembled Wolfram, this particular man had longer hair and sharper features. Also, there was something so…different…about this man's aura, something that made the hair at the back of Damien's neck stand up in apprehension…
"Still alive?"
Ryuu's voice cut through Damien's thoughts.
"Of course."
Incredible. The blond man also sounded a lot like Wolfram. Then Damien's eyes widened with comprehension. Could this be…?
"Frey Lombard," said the Maou, echoing Damien's assumption. "This must be a memory from Wolf's past life."
They all watched in silence as Ryuu and Frey battled it out, both moving so quickly and so flawlessly that they would just appear as two moving blurs to the untrained eye. It was clear that both men were experienced warriors. Damien suddenly remembered from his conversations with Wolfram that Frey had been an assassin.
The scene continued, Ryuu with the upper hand all throughout, his attacks coming in strongly and viciously. It was clear that he wanted to win at all costs. However, towards the end, he faltered. Seizing this opportunity, Frey pushed forward, victory within his reach. But then he hesitated, and in those few crucial seconds, Ryuu attacked and dealt the final blow.
Damien watched in revulsion as the blood began to drip down Frey's body. He could hear the man's shallow breathing, and he knew that Ryuu's final move had done the job. Frey was dying. The scene burned into Damien's head. When Wolfram had told him that Ryuu had killed Frey, Wolfram had merely said that "it was fast." Damien had no idea that it happened this way.
Inexplicably, Ryuu held Frey, whispering an apology over and over until the light in Frey's vivid green eyes – which were so like Wolfram's – went out. And then the entire scene dissolved into flashes of light and darkness.
Everyone stood frozen to the spot. Damien felt a chill rising up his spine at what he had just witnessed.
"That…was interesting," commented Saralegui after a beat.
For his part, the Maou looked disturbed. "Greta…I don't think that you should be here—"
"I'm staying," answered Greta stubbornly. "I've seen worse."
Nobody had any adequate response to that so they all let her be. Then to Damien's alarm, the scene began to reform into a place that he remembered all too well.
"Where are we this time?" asked the Maou, glancing at the narrow room they were now in, at the wooden floor and beams, and at the single bed near the window.
"Looks like an inn," Gunter replied.
"Oh no," Damien muttered under his breath.
He started to panic as two figures materialized atop the bed – one was Wolfram, and the other was, of course, him. This was the inn they had stayed in, days after they reached the borders of Shin Makoku. Damien could remember what exactly took place there, and if he had a choice in the matter, this was something that he didn't want anybody else to witness. Why the hell was Wolfram reliving this particular scene right now?
If his companions were surprised at this emerging memory, they didn't show it…yet. Damien half wished that the ground would open up and swallow him whole as he listened to his own voice confessing his feelings for Wolfram.
"Wolf, I like you. A lot."
The scene went on to show how pathetically lovesick he was over the Maou's fiancé, and he cringed. In his embarrassment, he almost reached out to shake Wolfram's shoulders and forcefully rouse him from his deep slumber. He even nearly snatched the demon mirror out of the unconscious boy's arms to shatter it to a million pieces.
Thankfully, he had enough presence of mind to know that doing either of the two would surely earn him some violent form of retribution from the Maou and his advisors. Damien kept his silence, suffering through the remainder of the memory, when finally, Wolfram pulled him into a tight embrace – completely platonic, of course – which unfortunately, Damien returned with a not-so platonic expression.
"Damien-san…" said the Maou, a vein twitching somewhere along his forehead. Damien registered the renewed use of the honorific, and he quickly raised his arms in defense.
"T-t-t-that didn't mean anything!" he stuttered, his face nearly exploding with heat. "Nothing happened afterwards. Just wait for it!"
Unluckily, the memory faded, leaving everyone – save for Damien – to guess what happened next. The Maou turned to Damien with a rather murderous expression, the vein in his forehead ticking like a bomb.
Damien laughed nervously. "See? Nothing happened afterwards."
The Maou didn't look convinced, but mercifully, Saralegui chose the moment to intervene. "We have another memory…"
Damien tried to catch the Shou Shimaron king's eyes to thank him, but the king's face was an expressionless mask. Damien knew him enough by now to know that the boy was displeased for some reason, although he couldn't decipher why. Damien returned his attention to the emerging scene in front of him as another memory unfolded.
It was obviously another one of Frey's. This time, Frey was seated by a window, a large piece of parchment on his lap. He looked like he could be drawing the view from outside the window, but his hands were not moving and he was just staring into space. Ryuu entered, unnoticed, and sneaked beside the preoccupied boy.
"What's this, a new art form?"
Frey jumped in surprise. Then his face slowly brightened up. It was clear that the man's unexpected presence was not only welcome, but also very much desired. Frey hid his delight behind a thin layer of annoyance.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long."
Watching the scene unfurl before him, Damien couldn't help but feel that he was intruding on something very personal. The memory had a certain tone to it – of longing and warmth and regret that it was almost painful to watch. He shifted in discomfort.
The Ryuu and Frey in the memory just stayed there, talking and joking and teasing each other about the most ridiculous things until the sky from the window beyond turned into black. None seemed inclined to end the banter or at least suggest that they both get some rest. It looked as if they could go on like that forever.
But eventually, Frey slowly drifted off in the midst of the conversation. Not noticing this at first, Ryuu kept on talking about a gathering he had just attended.
"—so basically, everyone's expecting the Lombards to take care of the matter, so you might expect your father to give you a new mission s—"
Finally realizing that his companion had fallen asleep, Ryuu stopped in mid-sentence and shook his head, laughing softly to himself. Then very carefully, he carried Frey off the window ledge, entwining his arms around the boy's body with a gentle expression that Damien had never seen on his face before.
And then the memory faded. The next thing they all knew, they were in another place – a long, rectangular space filled with weapons of various shapes and sizes. An armory, Damien realized. Frey was standing before a table, examining what appeared to be a collection of axes, knives, and swords. Nearby, Ryuu was leaning against a wall, watching Frey with an air of indulgence, before moving closer to offer his companion a long, double-bladed sword.
"What do you think?"
"Emeralds?"
Ryuu smiled warmly, his face lighting up. Damien didn't even know that the man was capable of such an emotion. He was finding it more and more difficult to reconcile his image of the cold, ambitious older brother he had grown up with, with this affectionate, doting version shown in the memory.
"Just like your eyes."
"A bit ostentatious, don't you think?"
Damien watched as Ryuu's face fell at this comment. But then Frey quickly reassured him with a few words, and that seemed enough to make Ryuu smile again. In a surprising move, Ryuu leaned forward and pulled Frey into an embrace. Damien could barely hear a whispered plea.
"Come back quickly okay?"
Frey looked a bit embarrassed at the contact, but he responded just the same, thin slender arms wounding around the other man's neck.
"Of course I'll be back. You're such an idiot."
And then the entire scene dissolved. Damien braced himself for another uncomfortable sight, but to his relief, the next memory was not of Frey but that of Wolfram himself. The boy was in the dungeons, and with him was – Damien suppressed a disappointed groan – the Maou.
Damien took a quick sideways glance at the Maou. The king had said that he had talked to Wolfram during the boy's incarceration, and had managed to come to an agreement with him. Remembering the king's buoyant expression that day, Damien had always wondered what exactly took place in the dungeons.
He was about to find out, although he immediately learned that didn't like it any better than Frey's memories. When before, he only felt uncomfortable watching Frey and Ryuu's moments together, Damien now felt mortified beyond relief. Wolfram and the Maou were kissing right in front of him for goodness' sake! What could be more awkward than that? Even the Maou's three advisors – Gwendal in particular – looked highly discomfited at this scene.
He was blushing, Damien realized after a moment, and he averted his eyes politely. Beside him, Saralegui did the same, and their eyes met briefly. Damien wondered whether the other boy's power of hypnosis could effectively wipe all the things he'd just seen from his mind. Saralegui gave him a rueful sort of smile, as if he knew what he was thinking and was implying that it wouldn't work.
Mercifully, the uncomfortable moment passed, and the Maou in the memory left. Wolfram now stood there, smiling to himself. Then just like before, Weisser emerged in an almost ghost-like manner from the stone wall beyond. Wolfram wheeled around in surprise.
"That was touching."
"What do you want?"
Weisser's voice was sarcastic; Wolfram's, belligerent.
"You forgot? All those kissing might have sucked all the air from your brain…"
"How long have you been standing there exactly?"
As the memory progressed, Damien noticed that the quality of the images was slowly deteriorating. Wolfram's and Weisser's voices were intermingling with each other, and there were moments where Damien couldn't even understand what was being said.
"What's happening?" he asked to nobody in particular. It seemed as if somebody was intentionally blocking them from going further…from watching more…
Somebody…
"Wolfram!" Greta cried loudly, and they all turned towards the bed. True enough, the boy was stirring, his hands moving away from the demon mirror. The images vanished and within the blink of an eye, they were once again back in the bedroom.
At the exact same time, Wolfram moved and his eyes – which had stayed closed for so long – finally fluttered open.
A/N: Thanks to ARandomWeirdo, yuuram2fangirl, SangLeGuira, Pikeebo, lilgurlanima, and gela-anime-14 for reviewing the previous chapter!
Credit goes to Darkspider for suggesting the scenes involving Yuuri and the others watching Frey and Ryuu's moments together. (I know that it's not exactly what you had in mind, but I hope you're satisfied just the same. :)) There was a very similar scene… in Season 3, I guess…where Greta used the demon mirror in the same manner, to conjure up her last memories of her mother.
Also, I always get a lot questions about how many chapters are still left in this story, and I haven't been really answering because I wasn't sure. So I spent some of my time during the holidays to just finish everything – which I did (mwahahaha, yes!) – and break the whole thing down into chapters. Thus, I can now say with certainty that we have just 2 chapters and an epilogue to go after this. I shall be posting the remaining chapters after some revisions, in the next days.
Next chapter – Wolfram's trial.
Thanks for reading!